0
Physics talks about two different types of energy. Kinetic Energy is the energy contained in motion, which Potential Energy is the energy of position.
Think about a large rock, still, stopped on the edge of a cliff. The rock has potential energy, based on its position above the ground. If you push the rock off the cliff, the rock will fall or roll down the cliff, gaining speed all the time until it hits the ground. This energy of motion is called kinetic energy.
But imagine that you have a giant mattress and a big spring; the rock will hit the mattress and compress the spring, If you snap a hook on the spring when it is most compressed, you will capture the kinetic energy and re-convert it into potential energy, in this case the energy trapped in a coiled spring.
Or consider a battery. The battery is still and unmoving, but it contains potential energy. If you release the potential electrical energy by running the electricity from the battery through a motor, you can convert the potential energy of the battery into the kinetic energy of the spinning motor, which may drive a fan causing air to move. Again, you convert potential energy into kinetic energy.
Your battery is all drained, and you want to recharge it. So you plug your battery into a battery charger, and into the wall. Far away, in a mountain lake, water is approaching a high dam. The water, high in the mountains, has potential energy, but as it spills into the intake pipes of the dam, the water falls and converts its potential energy into kinetic energy. The racing water with lots of kinetic energy now, flows against a steel turbine with angled blades, and the rushing water transfers some of its kinetic energy of motion into the turbine's kinetic energy of spinning. Connected to a generator above, the spinning turbine strains to spin a massive generator, converting the kinetic energy of the falling water into potential energy in the electric grid. Some of that electricity makes it to your house and charges up your battery.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the difference between potential and active energy?
Potential energy is energy that has the potential to be active. For example, when you pick up a pen, that is gravitational potenial energy, becasue it has the potetial to be dropped, in grvaity. Active energy would be when the pen is droppped and it is moving, it is active. It has a source of energy. Active energy is energy that is moving and working.
What type of energy does a stretched spring have?
Elastic energy, which is a type of potential energy.
What is gravitatinal potetial energy?
That refers to potential energy related to a gravitational field. In simple terms, an object that is higher up has more energy than one that is lower. This energy can be converted into other energy types; for example, when an object falls down, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (i.e., movement). The formula for gravitational potential energy is: GPE = wh (weight x height) or equivalently: GPE = mgh (mass x gravity x height)
What is the relationship between the work done while moving a book to a higher bookshelf and the potential energy that the book has on higher shelf?
Potetial energy is the energy an object has because of its position or location, or its energy of position.
What is a example of energy Pyramid?
an example of a energy pyramid is say for example theres a continuous light protected by a line spectrum it automatically gives energy to the energy pyramid.
What energy can be transformed to kinetic chemical electrical or thermal energy?
It is transfered by energy mixing with potetial energyIt is transfered by energy mixing with potetial energy
Will the idle air control valve reset itself when you install a new one?
It is transfered by energy mixing with potetial energyIt is transfered by energy mixing with potetial energy
If kinetic energy icreases?
if kinetic energy increases than potetial energy decreases
What kind of energy does the toy car use possess when placed on top of a piece of wood?
potetial energy
What potential benefits can methane hydrates have?
is the gas methae (hydrates)ba potetial energy source?
What is the difference between potential and active energy?
Potential energy is energy that has the potential to be active. For example, when you pick up a pen, that is gravitational potenial energy, becasue it has the potetial to be dropped, in grvaity. Active energy would be when the pen is droppped and it is moving, it is active. It has a source of energy. Active energy is energy that is moving and working.
What is the relationship between the work done while moving a book to a higher bookshelf the potential energy that the book has on the shelf?
Potetial energy is the energy an object has because of its position or location, or its energy of position.
What type of energy does a stretched spring have?
Elastic energy, which is a type of potential energy.
What is gravitatinal potetial energy?
That refers to potential energy related to a gravitational field. In simple terms, an object that is higher up has more energy than one that is lower. This energy can be converted into other energy types; for example, when an object falls down, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (i.e., movement). The formula for gravitational potential energy is: GPE = wh (weight x height) or equivalently: GPE = mgh (mass x gravity x height)
What is the relationship between the work done while moving a book to a higher bookshelf and the potential energy that the book has on higher shelf?
Potetial energy is the energy an object has because of its position or location, or its energy of position.
What is a not an example of energy pyramid?
A housing estate is not an example of an energy pyramid. A diamond ring is not an example of an energy pyramid. A cloud is not an example of an energy pyramid.
What is an example of a what is an example of a nuclear energy?
nuclear energy
